How to Choose The Best Running Sneakers For Your Feet

If you want to achieve at least some performance in your running, you really need to consider the shoes you’re using. There have been countless times when I put some sneakers on an went for a run, only to realize that I can barely finish one mile with them. Now I am wiser and I know what to do.

First, find the running shoe department. Not all sneakers are created equal and you just can’t be running with any pair you find lying around. I used to simply put on my skate shoes on and then wonder why my ankles hurt and everybody else seemed to pass by me.

First time I put a proper running sneaker on, I thought I was flying. It was going for miles and miles and not getting tired at all. I was confused at first, but it all made sense. You need to get shoes specifically designed for the job.

What should your running shoes feel like?

Many experts have plenty of ideas on this, but they all seem to agree on these next points.

Your heels should be free to move. They should feel comfortable inside, but not too tight. If you lace up the shoelaces, you should be able to slide your feet out. Make sure there is no friction around your ankles, because it will only get more painful after you start running. I once bought a pair of Reeboks which got my ankles bleeding after about a mile. Not good!

The upper should embrace your feet. The shoes should feel like a glove, with a slight uniform pressure. If there’s one spot which exerts more pressure, try lacing the sneakers differently. If they still press your feet, maybe you should try a different model, because that will only get more painful with time.

Check how much the shoe bends. It is important to see how flexible it is and also, you must make sure it bends along the same lines that your feet flex. If it’s improperly aligned, it will cause arch pains. If it’s not flexible enough, it will hurt your Achilles tendon.

Make sure there’s enough room for the toes. There’s nothing more painful and annoying that running for a couple of miles with your toes squished together and then getting calluses and that dark purple nails… Once you made sure that the upper is holding your feet comfortable, you should get about a thumb’s width from the tip of your toes to the front of the shoe.

No matter how much the feet slides back and forth, your toes should never have to touch the front. There should be plenty of room in front, right and left of your toes. Consider that your feet swell after long runs, so they will fit differently in that situation.

Match the sneakers to your arch’s contour. Finally, the most important step is to simply take the shoes for a test run, either on a treadmill in the store, or on a hallway. See if you feel any discomfort. This should be the ultimate test.